CARBONATED SOFT DRINK FINISH MODIFICATION
An apparatus and method are provided for a finish configured to define an opening to an interior of a container and to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened. The finish comprises a cylindrical body having a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at opposite ends. The first edge defines a first opening and is configured to receive a container cap. The second edge defines a second opening and is configured to receive a neck of the container. The first and second openings are in fluid communication. Threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion are configured to rotatably engage with threads of the container cap. At least one notch is disposed on the first edge and comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to reduce foaming of the contents during loosening of the container cap.
This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit of, U.S. patent application, entitled “Carbonated Soft Drink Finish Modification,” filed on Nov. 11, 2015, and having application Ser. No. 14/938,596, which claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional application, entitled “Carbonated Soft Drink Finish Modification,” filed on Nov. 13, 2014 and having application Ser. No. 62/079,431, the entirety of each of said applications being incorporated herein by reference.
FIELDThe field of the present invention generally relates to plastic containers. More particularly, the field of the invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing foaming that occurs with carbonated soft drink containers.
BACKGROUNDPlastic containers have been used as a replacement for glass or metal containers in the packaging of beverages for several decades. The most common plastic used in making beverage containers today is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Containers made of PET are transparent, thin-walled, and have the ability to maintain their shape by withstanding forces exerted on the walls of the container by their contents. PET resins are also reasonably priced and easy to process. PET bottles generally are made by a process that includes blow-molding of plastic pre-forms that have been made by injection molding of the PET resin.
A drawback to plastic containers is that those containing carbonated contents may allow foaming of the contents onto a consumer upon initially opening the container. In some cases, the foaming may be great enough to spill the contents of the container onto the clothing of a consumer, or onto nearby furniture. Another drawback to plastic containers is that carbon-dioxide content within the containers must be limited so as to accommodate the foaming tendency of carbonated liquids. Limiting the carbon-dioxide content effectively leads to a decreased longevity of the flavor profile of the carbonated contents. What is needed, therefore, is an apparatus and method for decreasing the foaming tendency of bottled carbonated contents, such that the carbon-dioxide content may be increased so as to increase the longevity of the flavor profile of the contents.
SUMMARYAn apparatus and method are provided for a finish configured to define an opening to an interior of a container and to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened. The finish comprises a cylindrical body comprising a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at opposite ends. The first edge defines a first opening and is configured to receive a container cap. Generally, the first edge is configured to receive a seal of the container cap. The second edge defines a second opening and is configured to receive a neck of the container. The first and second openings are in fluid communication. One or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion are configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap. At least one notch is disposed on the first edge, peripheral to the first opening, and comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce foaming of the contents. In one embodiment, the first edge comprises two notches, disposed on opposite sides of the first opening, and the cross-sectional shape of each of the notches comprises a half-circle configured to substantially reduce foaming of the contents when the container cap is loosened with respect to the finish.
In an exemplary embodiment, a finish configured to define an opening to an interior of a container and to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened comprises a cylindrical body comprising a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at opposite ends, the first edge defining an opening and configured to receive a container cap, the second edge configured to receive a neck of the container, wherein the opening is in fluid communication with the interior; one or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion, the threads configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap; and at least one notch disposed on the first edge and comprising a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce foaming of the contents.
In another exemplary embodiment, the first edge is configured to couple with a seal of the container cap, such that pressurized contents are maintained within the interior. In another exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a plug seal disposed within an interior of the container cap and configured to tightly engage the first edge so as to maintain the pressurized contents within the interior. In another exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a liner seal disposed between the container cap and the first edge so as maintain the pressurized contents within the interior.
In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one notch comprises two notches disposed on opposite sides of the finish. In another exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is any one of a half-circle, a square, and a triangle. In another exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is configured to produce an audible sound when pressurized gases exit through the at least one notch during loosening of the container cap.
In an exemplary embodiment, a container configured to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened comprises a base extending upward to a sidewall of the container; a shoulder connected between the sidewall and a bell, a diameter of the bell decreasing as the bell extends upward to a neck of the container; a finish connected to the neck and configured to receive a container cap, the finish defining an opening to an interior of the container; and at least one notch disposed at the top of the finish and configured to substantially reduce foaming of contents during opening of the container.
In another exemplary embodiment, the top of the finish is further configured to receive a seal of the container cap. In another exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a plug seal disposed within an interior of the container cap and configured to tightly engage the finish so as to maintain the pressurized contents within the interior. In another exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a liner seal disposed between the container cap and the finish so as maintain the pressurized contents within the interior.
In another exemplary embodiment, the top of the finish comprises two notches disposed on opposite sides of the opening to the interior of the container. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one notch comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce foaming of contents. In another exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is any one of a half-circle, a square, and a triangle. In another exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is configured so as to produce an audible sound when the container cap is twisted.
In an exemplary embodiment, a method for a container to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened comprises extending a base upward to a sidewall of the container; connecting a shoulder between the sidewall and a bell; extending the bell from the shoulder to a neck of the container, such that a diameter of the bell decreases as the bell extends to the neck; connecting a finish to the neck, such that the finish defines an opening to an interior of the container; configuring the finish to receive a container cap; and forming at least one notch at the top of the finish so as to substantially reduce foaming of contents during opening of the container.
In another exemplary embodiment, configuring the finish further comprises forming a cylindrical body comprising a peripheral portion disposed between a first end and a second end, the first end configured to receive the container cap and the second end configured to couple with the neck. In another exemplary embodiment, configuring the finish further comprises forming one or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion, the threads configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap. In another exemplary embodiment, forming the at least one notch comprises configuring a cross-sectional shape of the at least one notch comprising any one of a square, a half-circle, and a triangle. In another exemplary embodiment, forming the at least one notch comprises configuring a cross-sectional shape of the at least one notch to produce an audible sound when pressurized gases exit through the at least one notch during loosening of the container cap.
The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:
While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The invention should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first notch,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first notch” is different than a “second notch.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.
In general, the present disclosure describes an apparatus and a method for a finish configured to define an opening to an interior of a container and to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened. The finish comprises a cylindrical body including a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at opposite ends. The first edge defines an opening and is configured to receive a container cap. Generally, the first edge is configured to receive a seal of the container cap. The second edge is configured to receive a neck of the container such that the opening is in fluid communication with an interior of the container. One or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion are configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap. At least one notch is disposed at the first edge, peripheral to the first opening, and comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce foaming of the contents. In one embodiment, the first edge comprises two notches, disposed on opposite sides of the finish, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each of the notches comprises a half-circle configured to substantially reduce foaming of the contents.
In the illustrated embodiment, the grip portion 108 transitions into a shoulder 124, which connects to a bell 128. Although the bell 128 illustrated in
An exterior of the cylindrical body 148 comprises one or more threads 172 that are configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads 176 of the container cap 164. A plurality of gaps 174 are disposed in the threads and positioned uniformly around the perimeter of the cylindrical body 148. Preferably, the gaps 174 of adjacent threads 172 are vertically aligned so as to form channels 178 extending longitudinally along the CSD finish 140. The channels 178 advantageously operate to relieve pressure within the container 100 when the container cap 164 is loosened. As will be appreciated, the channels 178 provide a direct route for gases escaping the interior of the container 100, rather than the gases being forced to travel around the finish between adjacent threads 172.
An engagement of the threads 172 of the CSD finish 140 with the threads 176 of the container cap 164 is best shown in
In the embodiment illustrated in
In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the notches 196 may be specifically designed so as to produce an audible tone or sound as pressurized gases exit the container 100 through the notches 196 when the container cap 164 is loosened. Moreover, it should be understood that although the CSD finish 140 is described herein specifically in connection with the container cap 164, the CSD finish 140 is not limited to being coupled solely with the container cap 164, but rather any container cap that is suitably configured to engage with the CSD finish 140, such that contents are sealed within the container 100, including but not limited to the CSD container cap 180 and the Hot Fill container cap 184, may be coupled with the CSD finish 140 without detracting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
When the container cap 164 is tightly engaged with the CSD finish 140, as shown in
As mentioned above, the cross-sectional shape of the notches 196 need not be limited to those illustrated in
In some embodiments, suitably sized and shaped holes may be implemented in lieu of the notches 196. It is envisioned that the holes may be positioned just below the first edge 152 so as to be covered over by the plug seal 168 when the container cap 164 is tightly engaged with the CSD finish 140. It is further envisioned that the shape of the holes may be suitably designed to issue an audible sound when the container cap 164 is removed from the CSD finish 140 and pressure is relieved from the interior of the container 100. In some embodiments, the shape of each hole may be fashioned to resemble a flute, or a reed, which vibrates when the container cap 164 is removed from the container 100, thereby amplifying the audible sound as pressure within the container is relieved.
As shown in
While the invention has been described in turns of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the invention, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A finish configured to define an opening to an interior of a container and to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened, the finish comprising:
- a cylindrical body comprising a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at opposite ends, the first edge defining an opening and configured to receive a container cap, the second edge configured to receive a neck of the container, wherein the opening is in fluid communication with the interior;
- one or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion, the threads configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap; and
- at least one notch disposed on the first edge and comprising a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce foaming of the contents.
2. The finish of claim 1, wherein the first edge is configured to couple with a seal of the container cap, such that pressurized contents are maintained within the interior.
3. The finish of claim 2, wherein the seal comprises a plug seal disposed within an interior of the container cap and configured to tightly engage the first edge so as to maintain the pressurized contents within the interior.
4. The finish of claim 2, wherein the seal comprises a liner seal disposed between the container cap and the first edge so as maintain the pressurized contents within the interior.
5. The finish of claim 1, wherein the at least one notch comprises two notches disposed on opposite sides of the finish.
6. The finish of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape is any one of a half-circle, a square, and a triangle.
7. The finish of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape is configured to produce an audible sound when pressurized gases exit through the at least one notch during loosening of the container cap.
8. A container configured to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened, the container comprising:
- a base extending upward to a sidewall of the container;
- a shoulder connected between the sidewall and a bell, a diameter of the bell decreasing as the bell extends upward to a neck of the container;
- a finish connected to the neck and configured to receive a container cap, the finish defining an opening to an interior of the container; and
- at least one notch disposed at the top of the finish and configured to substantially reduce foaming of contents during opening of the container.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein the top of the finish is further configured to receive a seal of the container cap.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the seal comprises a plug seal disposed within an interior of the container cap and configured to tightly engage the finish so as to maintain the pressurized contents within the interior.
11. The container of claim 9, wherein the seal comprises a liner seal disposed between the container cap and the finish so as maintain the pressurized contents within the interior.
12. The container of claim 8, wherein the top of the finish comprises two notches disposed on opposite sides of the opening to the interior of the container.
13. The container of claim 8, wherein the at least one notch comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce foaming of contents.
14. The container of claim 13, wherein the cross-sectional shape is any one of a half-circle, a square, and a triangle.
15. The container of claim 13, wherein the cross-sectional shape is configured so as to produce an audible sound when the container cap is twisted.
16. A method for a container to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened, the method comprising:
- extending a base upward to a sidewall of the container;
- connecting a shoulder between the sidewall and a bell;
- extending the bell from the shoulder to a neck of the container, such that a diameter of the bell decreases as the bell extends to the neck;
- connecting a finish to the neck, such that the finish defines an opening to an interior of the container;
- configuring the finish to receive a container cap; and
- forming at least one notch at the top of the finish so as to substantially reduce foaming of contents during opening of the container.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein configuring the finish further comprises forming a cylindrical body comprising a peripheral portion disposed between a first end and a second end, the first end configured to receive the container cap and the second end configured to couple with the neck.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein configuring the finish further comprises forming one or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion, the threads configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein forming the at least one notch comprises configuring a cross-sectional shape of the at least one notch comprising any one of a square, a half-circle, and a triangle.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein forming the at least one notch comprises configuring a cross-sectional shape of the at least one notch to produce an audible sound when pressurized gases exit through the at least one notch during loosening of the container cap.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 20, 2016
Publication Date: Aug 11, 2016
Inventor: Jay Clarke Hanan (Ontario, CA)
Application Number: 15/134,264